Howard W. Smith, Jr., 88, of Denton, Texas passed away on Friday, December 29, 2017 in Denton. He was born on January 19, 1929 in Granby, Missouri to Howard W. Smith and Margaret Sanderson Smith. Howard grew up in Granby and, as the son of the school superintendent, was very involved in school activities. He played basketball and baseball in high school with his father as his coach.

Howard attended Southwest Missouri State University and earned his bachelors degree there. He began his career as the only teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in Newton County Missouri. The Korean Conflict interrupted Howard's education. He enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in San Angelo, Texas for pilot's training. He met his future wife, Margaret Elizabeth Bell, there. Howard and Margaret married on March 1, 1953 in Margaret's hometown of Bowling Green, Missouri.

They moved to Columbia, Missouri so Howard could begin work on his masters and Ed.D. at Missouri State. Their son Chris joined the family in June of 1959 as Howard completed his Ed.D. Degree. The family moved to Richardson, Texas to accept an appointment at SMU as an education professor. In 1961 they relocated to Denton so he could join the education faculty at North Texas State College (UNT).

Howard served UNT as an elementary education professor, acting dean, vice president of academic affairs, president and chancellor ad interim, and higher education professor. He was named Dean Emeritus of the College of Education. Howard shepherded over one hundred students in earning doctorate degrees. He worked with many international students who later returned to their home countries and became college presidents and high-ranking government education officials. Howard had an instrumental role in gaining the College of Education's re-accreditation through NCATE in 1996. He retired in 1997.

Howard and Margaret were active community volunteers. They particularly enjoyed their time on the Board of Directors of Denton Community Theatre. They rarely missed a show and were members of the First-Nighters Club. For many years Howard was an active volunteer for the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival.  Howard served Trinity Presbyterian Church as an elder after the move to Denton, and was currently a member of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church.

Howard is survived by his son Chris Smith and wife Diane of Denton; granddaughter Elizabeth Smith-Bartlett and husband Jonah of Mamaroneck, New York; and grandson Andrew Smith and wife Sarah of Denton; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, his wife, and brothers William and Richard Smith precede him in death.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 from 4 to 6 pm at DeBerry Funeral Directors. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 2 pm at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Denton, Texas. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Village Assisted Living for their loving and exceptional care and Reginald and Harriet of Ardent Hospice for their kindness and skill in helping Howard transition from this world to the next.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Howard W. Smith, Jr. Education Scholarship Fund account #414 at UNT, Division of Advancement, 1155 Union Circle #311250, Denton, TX 76203-9905, or the charity of your choice.